Alleged emu killer's charges upgraded to felonies (+Arrest Affidavit)

Published 2:15 pm, Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Brandon Massey is charged with engaging in organized criminal activity for his alleged role in a break-in and theft at a Midland convenience store.

Brandon Massey is charged with engaging in organized criminal activity for his alleged role in a break-in and theft at a Midland convenience store.

Alleged emu killer's charges upgraded to felonies (+Arrest Affidavit)

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Police have upgraded the charges against the suspected emu killer to felony counts of to third-degree charges of cruelty to livestock animals.

Brandon Glen Massey, 17, was being held Wednesday on a $30,000 bond for three third-degree felony charges. Massey was originally charged with misdemeanor charges of cruelty to non-livestock animals, but authorities eventually upgraded the charges. Because he was only charged with a misdemeanor at the time, the Reporter-Telegram did not release the teenager's name.

Three emus, valued at $20,000 each, were killed at a central Midland home this past spring, according to authorities. On April 21, police were dispatched to a home in the 3700 block of Northfield Drive in reference to a cruelty to an animal call.

The homeowner told officers one of his emus had been shot to death in the head sometime overnight. On April 25 and 28, police again were called to the home, where investigators found that someone had bludgeoned a second emu to death with a tree limb and a third one also was bludgeoned and stabbed to death.

Crime Stoppers tips led police to Massey. According to an affidavit for probable cause, Massey voluntarily gave a statement to police and said he had heard about the killings from one of the suspects, but he himself was not involved. He then described in detail how the bird was killed and how those involved attempted to wrap a bungee cord around the legs of the animal and take it to the ground.

The teen then said that once the bird was captured, it began to make a lot of noise and the suspects then beat it to death. Massey told police that he gave a pole used to beat the bird to those involved in the killings.

During a second interview with authorities, the teen said he was present for two of the three killings and watched them happen but made no attempt to stop them.

Three witnesses, according to police, said Massey had bragged to them he was responsible for killing the birds.

Warrants were issued July 13 for class A misdemeanor charges of cruelty to non-livestock animals.

MPD Sgt. David Garcia told the Reporter-Telegram in a previous interview that he believed Massey did not act alone.

"This is one of the most brutal ones I've ever seen in this fashion," he said. "They're pretty much docile, flightless birds. They don't bother anybody. The sheer brutality and way they were killed is disturbing."

Police are still investigating the case because they do not believe Massey acted alone. No further warrants have been issued as of Wednesday evening and police have not disclosed the names of possible suspects.

If Massey is convicted of the felonies, he could face up to 10 years in prison for each count.

But this isn't Massey's first run in with the law though, he and several friends were arrested in June on counts of engaging in organized criminal activity for their part in breaking and entering a convenience store. The teens were suspected of stealing beer, cigarettes and candy. He was being held on a $50,000 bond for those charges. It was not known, as of press time Wednesday, if the new felony charges will affect this teen's other pending charges.

Midland County District Attorney Teresa Clingman was not immediately available for comment late Wednesday.